As we move into the early days of November, archery hunters start getting really serious about their buck-hunting pursuits. This is a period when bucks become more active as they begin their pursuit of willing does, and the avid archery hunter hopes to take advantage of those deer movements and activities. Hunting is not centered around feeding activity now but rather mating activities.

Most hunters probably agree that the whitetail’s rut can be broken down into three phases: the seeking phase, the chasing phase, and, finally, the actual breeding stage.

Bucks are constantly on the move and have expanded their home range at this time.

They are also much more vocal, communicating with other deer with grunts, snorts, and bleats.

Testosterone is at maximum flow, and the buck’s nose is often what guides him through the day while rubbing his antlers and gouging out scrapes along trails.

A lot of hunters probably don’t bother to separate the chasing phase from the actual breeding phase, with the primary difference being the intensity of the buck’s activities.

During this period, does are entering estrus, and the bucks are competing to find them first. A buck will often chase every doe it finds during this period, and it’s during this period that two aggressive bucks chasing the same doe may end up in a pretty good battle.

Like the beginning of the rutting stage, this is also a good time to be out in your stand with your bow, but it can also be frustrating when aggressive bucks are frantically chasing does from your targeted hunting area.

The breeding stage of the rut is really what the rut is all about — a doe is finally in estrus, and she will likely accept a buck’s aggressive behavior wherever she happens to be. A buck may stay with a doe in estru for up to 72 hours, and when the doe reaches full estru, she may allow the buck to breed her several times. The buck may hang out with the doe for several days, but when she cycles out of estru, he is off looking for another willing doe. This is a good time for the bow hunter to place the treestand in an area frequented by a group of does, thus increasing shooting opportunities.

Clearly, the rut is a great time for archery hunters because of the buck’s aggressive mating activities, but location is still important.

Deer trails with ample scrapes and rubs that lie between bedding areas and feeding areas are good locations, especially if some good heavy cover is available along such a trail.

Other areas to consider setting up are at the head of a steep ravine and along a ridge line, especially in thick terrain. It has been suggested that bucks often run ridge lines because they can detect does at lower elevations due to the rising wind currents.

Of course, setting up in a good location during the rut is important, but as we all know, bucks don’t become complete idiots at breeding time — great care and preparation are still important. Knowing wind direction and using it to your advantage is good. Do what you can to quell human scent. I know of a few archers who have already taken a few pretty good bucks, but some good hunting still remains.